A MULTIMILLION-POUND plan to redevelop Wadebridge Town Football Club's ground into a large housing complex is under way.

The proposal is to build 165 homes at Bodieve Park, with the football club relocating within the planned Bodieve Village.

A new link road is also planned through the development.

The scheme will provide the football club with a new ground and expand its range of training pitches.

The "village'' will incorporate eight acres of land the football club owns, plus adjoining private land.

An exhibition of the proposals will be held at the football club on February 27 for the public to view the plans.

Three years ago, the club was hoping to sell its pitches to Morrisons for a new supermarket, but the retailer lost out to Sainsbury's.

Morrisons' development partner was Merriman Ltd, and the same Leicestershire-based company is now involved in the Bodieve Village scheme.

The planning consultant for the application is Barton Willmore, which has been acting on behalf of Mercia Developments, which is behind the £110 million Coyte Farm retail scheme near St Austell.

Football club chairman Steve Cudmore said he hoped the new proposals would find favour with residents and Cornwall Council.

"We feel it's a win-win scheme for everyone. The town needs more houses and we need to offer more facilities to the community.

"We have 11 youth teams using the present pitches every week, and the new scheme will provide additional training pitches, which we feel are required due to the demand we have at the club.

Mr Cudmore felt the sale of the land could, in time, provide further benefits for residents.

"We are a community club and eventually we would like to provide an indoor facility for the use of the whole community," said Mr Cudmore.

Michael Merriman, of Merriman Ltd, said after the Morrisons' scheme was refused in 2011, the company had taken time to consider how best to deliver the relocation of the football club, together with improving the junction of Gonvena Hill and Bodieve Road, in a way which was viable.

"Our latest plans involve relocating the football club to a new location at Bodieve Village, which will provide significantly enhanced facilities for the club, thereby safeguarding its long-term future," he said.

"These facilities will include a full-sized football pitch, an all-weather pitch, two junior pitches and three under-8s' pitches, changing rooms, a clubhouse and grandstand.

"In addition, up to 165 high quality, sustainable, new homes will be developed on the existing football ground and surrounding land which will also accommodate a new link road to address the existing traffic problems at the Gonvena Hill/Bodieve Road mini-roundabout.

"After working with Wadebridge Town Football Club for a number of years, I'm very excited about the redevelopment proposals coming to fruition and the significant benefits that will be delivered for the local community, including enhanced sports and recreation facilities, improved highway conditions and much-needed new homes," he said.